New Delhi [India], December 10 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday countered the Opposition’s objections in the Lok Sabha, asserting that the Election Commission of India (ECI) operates independently and does not function under the Central government. He clarified that the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls is solely the ECI’s responsibility and therefore cannot be discussed in Parliament.
Shah questioned who would respond if the functioning of the Election Commission was debated in the House, adding that the government promptly agreed to a discussion on electoral reforms, which fall within its jurisdiction.
He said the Opposition had insisted on discussing SIR despite the government’s objections, leading to a two-day logjam that falsely conveyed that the government was avoiding the issue. “Parliament is the biggest panchayat for discussions. BJP-NDA never runs away from debate,” he stated, accusing the Opposition of spreading “one-sided lies” about SIR for four months.
The Lok Sabha continued its second day of discussions on electoral reforms following an agreement between the government and the Opposition. Ten hours have been allotted for debates in both Houses after the conclusion of the Vande Mataram discussion.
Earlier, during Tuesday’s debate, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi questioned the government’s decision to remove the Chief Justice of India from the committee selecting Election Commissioners and criticised the immunity granted to the CEC. He also accused the ECI of enabling “vote-chori” in the Haryana Assembly elections, calling it an “anti-national act” that harms India’s democratic fabric. Gandhi further alleged that the Election Commission had been “captured” by the RSS.
Amid Amit Shah’s reply on Wednesday, Opposition MPs staged a walkout from the Lok Sabha. Responding to the walkout, Shah remarked that the Opposition did not leave when he criticised former Prime Ministers Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, and Sonia Gandhi, but chose to walk out on the issue of infiltrators.
Shah declared that the government’s policy is to “detect, delete and deport” infiltrators while alleging that the Opposition seeks to “normalise” and “formalise” infiltration by allowing them into voter lists.
Following the walkout and completion of Shah’s address, the Lok Sabha was adjourned until 11 am on December 11.
The heated exchanges continued earlier in the debate when Rahul Gandhi interrupted Shah, challenging him to a debate on his three press conferences relating to allegations of “vote-chori.” Shah retorted that Parliament would not function according to Gandhi’s demands and urged him to remain patient, assuring that all allegations would be addressed.
Speaking to reporters after the walkout, Rahul Gandhi claimed Amit Shah failed to answer his questions and gave a “completely defensive response.” Gandhi said he had sought transparency in the voter list, details of EVM architecture, and clarification on accusations that BJP leaders voted improperly in Haryana and Bihar.
Gandhi reiterated his concerns about granting full immunity to the Election Commissioner and accused the government of avoiding critical questions. He challenged Shah again to an open debate on his press conferences.
Amit Shah, in his speech, said the SIR process exists specifically to correct voter lists and accused the Opposition of double standards—praising the EC when they win and attacking it when they lose. He added that the Opposition’s defeat was certain and not linked to the voter list.
The Lok Sabha will resume its proceedings on December 11 as the debate on electoral reforms continues.
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